1 GV: moslems gathered in praying in Beirut, Lebanon.
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2.
SCU: Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheik Hassan Khaled speaking
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3.
SV AND GV: people bowing during prayers.
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Initials RH/MF/JB/0050



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Beirut suburb of St. Michel Moslems gathered at the local mosque to celebrate the festival of Al-Adha on Wednesday (1 December).

SYNOPSIS: Apart from the religious observances, several leading Lebanese political figures took advantage of the occasion to make statements on the current situation in the country. Left-wing leader Mr. Kamal Jumblatt said that he believed that Lebanese President Elias Sarkis was being "duped" and that he was mistaken in giving priority to security problems, rather than concentrating on providing food for the Lebanese people. The Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheik Hassan Khaled attended the St. Michel prayers and afterwards spoke to the congregation.

He said that it was time to renounce sectarian differences, so that Lebanon could survive as a nation. He also said that the Lebanese had paid with their blood for continued Zionist aggression against the Palestinians.

Members of the Lebanese Arab Army, including its leader Lieutenant Ahmed Khatib, attended the prayers at St. Michel mosque.

During his speech the Mufti also said that one of the most important issues currently facing the Lebanon was that Moslems should be united amongst themselves on a political and patriotic level and that negative motivations should be avoided.